Will smartphone bans at schools resurrect the MP3 player?Even without phones in class, Gen Z isn’t willing to give up their music during lunch, free period, or between classes. So, some are allegedly bringing back iPods, Walkmans, CD players, and even cassette players to get around the rules. Teens from New Hampshire to Missouri are reportedly showing up with hand-me-down gadgets or cheap finds from eBay, sparking a mini boom in sales of old MP3 players. For some, these devices feel less distracting than smartphones; for others, they’re just a clever loophole. But, despite fun headlines, most retro tech isn’t making a mainstream comeback. YPulse data shows most young people own at least one “vintage” device, but often it’s something like a leftover DVD player, not a trendy throwback they just bought. At the end of the day, these old gadgets are more about small microtrends and Y2K nostalgia than Gen Z actually ditching their smartphones for good. (NYT)
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